Family law disputes can be emotionally challenging, particularly when conflict between parents affects the parent-child relationship. Parental alienation—when one parent undermines a child’s relationship with the other parent—creates profound emotional harm and can significantly influence decisions regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. Recognizing these behaviors early and taking appropriate action is essential to […]
If you are involved in a family law matter in Ohio, you may be required to give testimony at some point during your case. Giving testimony — or “testifying” — means presenting the court with information: facts, events, reasons, and explanations that help the court make decisions from a place of knowledge and fairness. Even […]
If you are commencing a divorce, filing a post-decree matter, seeking child support,or filing a petition for the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, there are specific rules regarding how the other party in the case must be notified. Significantly, Ohio allows for service of process through certified mail. But this doesn’t mean that it […]
Divorce is often contentious — and unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for one spouse to make false accusations against the other during the legal process of terminating a marriage. Not only can false allegations in divorce affect your reputation and emotional health, but they can also negatively impact the outcome of your case. If your spouse […]
Divorces take considerable time to complete, with some proceedings lasting for six months or more from complaint to final decree., Temporary decisions by the Court on matters that affect the daily lives of the spouses involved create stability for those families while the case is pending. For the time when the divorce is filed, to […]
Both parents have a legal obligation to financially support their child, regardless of whether they were ever married. While most parents take their child support responsibilities seriously, a parent may sometimes fall behind on payments or simply stop making them. When that happens, child support enforcement may become necessary. Importantly, if a parent fails to […]
After a divorce, dissolution, or separation, it’s not uncommon for one of the parties to move across state lines. But in such cases, if a dispute arises in connection with parenting (aka child custody), parents who reside in different jurisdictions may wonder in which state the case should be brought. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction […]
Child support payments can be crucial to provide financial stability for a child — especially when they have extraordinary needs. Under Ohio law, child support must be paid until a child reaches the age of majority or otherwise becomes emancipated under the law. However, the need for financial support can go beyond a child’s 18th […]
It’s no secret that money troubles are one of the biggest sources of stress in a marriage. Whether it’s different approaches to saving and spending, a loss of income, or the pressure of mounting debt, couples may find themselves both struggling to manage their finances and keep their marriage afloat. Unfortunately, many couples find themselves […]
Going through a divorce, parenting matter, or family law dispute is stressful. Many people picture long court battles, high legal fees, and impersonal judges making life-altering decisions for them. But what if there were a better way? In Ohio, families have the opportunity to resolve their legal disputes without ever having to step foot in […]
Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC
4030 Massillon Road
Green, Ohio 44685
(330) 996-4099
(330) 643-0732
